The Commission on Appointments (CA) has approved in plenary session the ad interim appointments of 16 foreign service officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

All of the officials hurdled the deliberations led by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, chairman of the CA Committee on Foreign Affairs.

The CA approved the ad interim appointments of the 16 foreign service officers, namely:

Chief of Mission, Class I

• Maria Elena Palo Algabre
• Celeste Vinzon Balatbat
• Paul Raymund Pasion Cortes
• Arvin Reyes De Leon
• Francisco Noel Rio Fernandez
• Patrick John Uytiepo Hilado

Chief of Mission, Class II

• Iric Cruz Arribas
• Renato Ner Dueñas Jr.
• Emmanuel Revilla Fernandez
• Raphael Sta. Cruz Hermoso
• Pablito Austria Mendoza
• Noel Mangaoang Novicio
• Rhenita Balagtas Rodriguez
• Gunther Emil Mayo Sales
• Arnel Gonio Talisayon

Career Minister

• Rea Galanao Oreta

"Following a public hearing this morning which considered and deliberated on their appointments, your Committee found them all to be fit and qualified, meritorious of their promotion to their respective ranks and title, and ruled to endorse them to the plenary for approval of this august chamber," Estrada said.

"We are optimistic that the DFA, with its roster of capable and highly effective diplomats and envoys, 16 of which are here with us this afternoon and hopeful of securing the nod of the Commission, will continue to perform its mission of promoting and protecting Philippine interests in the global community," he added.